New Horizons Wellness Center will be serving as a weigh-in site for the state’s largest weight-loss and exercise program, Scale Back Alabama. In its 12th year, the program has resulted in 1.35 million pounds lost and the continued establishment of healthy lifestyles. The 2018 contest starts next week.

Adults in teams of two can go online to scalebackalabama.com/join to register for the free, 9-week program and then go to New Horizons Wellness Center to weigh in at the following times:

All participants must be 18 years of age and older, live or work in Alabama and must weigh-in at an official site to be eligible to participate. Those who lose at least 10 pounds will be included in a drawing for cash prizes on April 17.

We will be kicking off our revamped weight loss program in conjunction with the launch of Scale Back Alabama. Details will be provided when you stop by to weigh in! Keep an eye here on our website and our Facebook page for updates.

Scale Back Alabama is a collaboration of the Alabama Hospital Association, the Alabama Department of Public Health and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama.​For more information, visit scalebackalabama.com or visit Scale Back Alabama’s Facebook page.]]>Wed, 03 Jan 2018 20:13:51 GMThttp://www.nhwc-online.com/healthful-hints/welcome-2018​The New Year is often a time when individuals reflect on the past year and pledge to make changes in the up-coming year. Individuals often make personal or financial goals; while others pledge to take control of their health once and for all.​We here at New Horizons Wellness Center are committed to helping improve your health by providing instruction and guidance to assist you in achieving your healthcare goals. We offer individualized, quality care. We treat acute illnesses, colds, coughs, flu-like symptoms, as well as provide management of chronic conditions, for example diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol. Additionally, we also offer medication- assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid addiction. Coming January 2018, we will implement a new weight loss program. If your New Year’s Resolutions include taking control of your health, whether it is improved management of chronic conditions, preventative health services, weight loss, smoking cessation or recovery from opioid addiction, we can help! Happy New Year!

Obesity

Obesity is more than fitting into your favorite pair of jeans; it is detrimental to your health. This realization has prompted the American Medical Association (AMA) to recognize obesity as a chronic disease. One in three Americans are obese, while Alabama earned the ranking as the 3rd fattest state last year, with an obesity rate of 35.7 percent. When treating chronic healthcare problems, individualized treatment plans are the most beneficial. Treatment of obesity is no different. When people want to lose weight, we tend to want a quick fix, unfortunately this is not realistic. It is critical to develop a chronic weight management plan which helps patients maintain clinically meaningful weight loss, rather than seek acute weight loss results. That is what our goal here at New Horizon Wellness Center. We want to work with individuals to recognize obesity as a chronic condition and develop a long-term plan of care to address this problem.​I, like many of you am ready to make this commitment. I’ve lost ninety pounds in the past, but let life get in the way and have gained most of that weight back. If you are looking for a program to help you learn how to manage your weight once and for all, are not looking for the quick fix then consider our program. I will be developing a blog over the next month to chronicle my personal journey. I am committing one year to my reach my goal. Come join me!

]]>Thu, 30 Nov 2017 15:09:03 GMThttp://www.nhwc-online.com/healthful-hints/emotional-eatingDo you find comfort in food? Do thoughts of warm mac & cheese, gooey chocolate chip cookies fresh out of the oven, or Nana's fried chicken give you the warm fuzzies? After a long day at work, does a big bowl of ice cream calm your frazzled nerves? Then you may be a stress eater!

Emotional eating affects millions of Americans, and can sabotage even the best plans for a healthy lifestyle. However, to combat a problem, one must first recognize it. Signs of emotional eating include.

Emotions drive eating habits

Eating while stressed

Hunger that comes on suddenly and is urgent

Craving specific foods while not being satisfied with any substitutes

Continuing to eat even when full

Feelings of guilt or shame after eating

If any of these symptoms sound familiar, there is hope! Dr. Jennifer Kromberg, of Psychology today has identified 5 factors associated with emotional eating:

Unawareness

Food as your only pleasure

Inability to tolerate difficulty feeling

Body hate

Physiology

Dr. Kromberg's important factors that affect over-eaters:

Fatigue

Depravation

Self criticism

Impatience

Perfectionism

]]>Tue, 14 Nov 2017 13:30:04 GMThttp://www.nhwc-online.com/healthful-hints/international-diabetes-awareness-dayThroughout the world, almost 1 in every 2 people are living with undiagnosed diabetes.

Today, we are spreading the word to create awareness for this disease. World Diabetes Day is a registered United Nations Awareness Campaign designed to help those with the disease, and those helping them cope with it, gain information about how to better treat it in order to live a happy and healthy life.This year, the International Diabetes Federation is setting the focus of information on women with diabetes and the unique challenges it has for them and the ways to overcome them. ​With the help of treatments and healthy lifestyles, the International Diabetes Federation is trying to stem the increase of this disease world-wide.

Whether you or a loved one has been diagnosed with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, no doubt the circumstances can be difficult, Whether it is exercising. dieting, or keeping up with medication, it can be stressful for everyone. But don't lose heart, this November is Diabetes Awareness month and there are plenty of resources that can be used to help you keep your diabetes in check,

The American Diabetes Challenge, hosted by Merck and the American Diabetes Association, is pushing to help those with diabetes work alongside their doctors and caregivers to find what is best for them to keep their diabetes under control. Within the program, there are many different tips to help those with the disease and those helping them cope with it. Some of these include how to eat healthy, stick to a treatment plan, and how to help and be helped by those alongside you. It also includes many pamphlets and info-graphics to help show the difference in Hypoglycemia (Low Blood-Sugar) or Hyperglycemia (High Blood-Sugar) and what the difference can mean for your treatment plan.www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/americas-diabetes-challenge/?loc=db-slabnav]]>Tue, 22 Aug 2017 20:34:28 GMThttp://www.nhwc-online.com/healthful-hints/tonya-tuesday-08222017Fall is just around the corner, bringing with it cool, crisp mornings, colorful leaves and flu season.

Influenza, the flu, is a viral illness that affects the respiratory system. Symptoms typically have a rapid onset and include fever, cough, sore throat, muscle aches, fatigue, runny nose, and headache. Some experience nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. However, those who experience the last three symptoms are usually young children. Thankfully, most recover within a few days to a week from the flu, but there are those who are at a higher risk for flu associated complications. More serious complications may include pneumonia, myocarditis (inflammation of the heart), or encephalitis (inflammation of the brain). Flue may also exacerbate (increase the severity of) chronic conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and congestion heart failure (CHF) as well as other chronic conditions. Complication that may result in hospitalizations or death. During the 2014-2015 flue season, vaccinations prevented approximately 1.9 million influenza associated illnesses and 67,000 hospitalizations. (CDC, 2017).

What can you do? ​Flu is spread by person to person contact. Someone with the flu can infect another person up to 6 feet away. Additionally, you may be able to spread the virus up to one day before symptoms develop and up to 5-7 days after being sick. To protect yourself and your family, avoid being around others who are sick as well as washing your hands frequently with soap and water. If no soap and water are available, use alcohol based hand sanitizer. Disinfect frequently touched surfaces both at home and at work, but most importantly, get vaccinated.

Prevention is key. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends everyone aged 6 months and older should receive an annual flu shot, preferably by the end of October. This is extremely important, especially for those with chronic medical conditions, like asthma, diabetes, heart disease, and COPD.

Local Pharmacies have these available now, so take advantage of the opportunity to acquire your vaccinations. ]]>Tue, 14 Feb 2017 13:58:49 GMThttp://www.nhwc-online.com/healthful-hints/week-4Wow, the time is flying by!

How many new habits have you started over the last 3 weeks? Have you started exercising? Eating your rainbow of fruits and veggies?